Bregdan Chronicles!

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I read this series for the first time last year. I was looking forward to something in the league of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, in regards to some kind of epic-historical-fiction-romance, and was sure that I would yet again be let down by a promising looking series. I was so glad to be wrong! Ginny Dye does an amazing job at developing her characters and building their stories in this epic collection. Not only does she nail it with the humanity aspect, but she is factually accurate with so much of the historical aspect, as well. It shows that she loves history, and is thorough in her research. I also love that she doesn't shy away from being descriptive of some of the harsher elements of the Civil War, ie. battles, horrific living conditions, etc. It's not just romanticized fluff, but instead is a beautiful story that will actually leave you with a few new learnings about our country during and after this tumultuous time. Highly recommend this entire series, and am looking forward to book 7! ~ Carrie

I waited to give a review until I had read all 5 books. I am struggling to find appropriate words to describe the awe I am in, and I find myself failing miserably. I absolutely could not put these books down. I would finish one, and immediately hop online to go get the next one....sometimes in the wee hours of the morning, when my tail should have been asleep. The writing style of this author brings you right into the story as if you are a part of it. She has amazing talent to capture the imagination, and bring you right into a virtual reality. I have fallen in love with every one of these characters, and have become completely entranced with each life represented. The historical account of this time period was so right on, so very vivid, you almost feel like you've walked right into it. These books became so alive, I actually had dreams at night of battle. (I'm not even kidding.) But it goes further. There were conversations in these books that had me reading over them several times. Life lessons. Sage advice. The kind of wisdom that comes from every day life. God moments that were so profound, they pierced my heart with an accuracy that I can't even begin to explain. Many times, the lives and hearts of each character were changed and rocked with revelation that came about in a moment, yet, so deeply touching the deepest recesses of the heart, that you can't go beyond it, without it having changed you as well, as you read it. Thank you Ginny Dye...not only for an amazing journey....but for those God and light bulb moments,throughout each book, that reached beyond the pages, and made their home inside the soul. What can I say overall? Well, let me put it like this: these books are like... "Gone with the Wind" meets up with "Eat,Pray,Love"; then whispers some "Secret life of Bees", forges some "Steel Magnolia's", and at times, wraps itself with the "Color Purple." Sigh. Did I mention how much I loved these books? ~ Belle

Ginny Dye's 'Storm Clouds Rolling In' offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the Civil War era. This is one of the best Civil War historical fiction novels I have read. The characters and her writing style drew me in from the beginning.I enjoyed learning more about this time in our country's history with the research and details she so expertly wove into the story line. I was hooked within a few chapters and look forward to reading the entire series this summer. This engaging book is at the top of the list of my historical fiction favorites. Ms. Dye is a story teller extraordinaire.

~ S. Allen

As a teacher of American and world history for over thirty years I rarely find a historical fiction novel that I can bear to finish. Most are so poorly researched or so biased in their skewed version of the people and events they literally are painful for me to try to read. Storm Clouds Rolling In is a truly wonderful book with realistic characters one cares about! Highly recommended! ~ R. Tingley

I would highly recommend this novel and all the ones that follow.The Bregdan Chronicles presents the reader with a multitude of issues during a very difficult time in American History. The story is presented in such a way that the reader gets a chance to see all aspects of the issues, all through the eyes of a wonderful cast of characters. I have read all of the books that follow #1, including Ginny Dye's latest, #5 THE LAST LONG NIGHT. Instead of writing a review for each one individually, I will just say read them all!!! You will not be disappointed. ~Meggie

Great book! This author has really done her homework. I like the authors writing style as well. I will be purchasing book 2. Good job Ginny Dye!!! ~ Pam R.

I purchased this book as well as the other three on a hope they were good. The characters grabbed me from the start and I found it hard to put it down. I have all my books on my Kindle Fire and it goes everywhere with me. I found myself reading at any given minute I was still. Love the story ~ Gloria

Ginny Dye knows how to bring the Old South to life. Her character development and presentation of how life was during those days prior to the Civil War transport you to that time. For anyone who enjoys reading a great novel based on this time in America's history, this book is for you. Her idea to do this series covering one year in each book gives the reader a chance to absorb all the details in each book, and one can almost put yourself in the shoes of her characters. I have read Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind" 4 times from cover to cover, and in my opinion, this book and the following 3 books in this series rank right up there with that masterpiece of historical fiction. I'm currently reading the 4th book in the series, "Dark Chaos", and hope Ginny will continue this story in many books to come. ~ B. Mabe

This is the first book in the series. At first I was not sure that it would hold my interest but boy was I wrong! This book was so interesting and it really captures the heart of the reader. The characters are not conventional, and are flawed just like regular people. If you like historical fiction filled with love, relationships, adventure you will love this series. ~ Johanna

Storm clouds Rolling In kept my interest from start to finish. After reading the first of 4 in the series I wanted to read more. ~ Trish

This is the best of all books - getting ready to start the 4th. book of hers. It's a history book, a love story, a war story and about when there were slaves - very touching, a wonderful written story. ~ Florence H.

I really enjoy this author as she knows how to use words to make things "come to life". I learned alot about this time in history that I had not heard before. I can hardly wait until the next book! ~ S. Richard

Just finished it today and have already started the next one in the series. Can't wait to see how things work out for these people caught up in the pending war. ~ S Smith

Could not put this book down! It would get a ten stars rating if you offered it. Before I was 75 percent through, I had to stop to order the next three books. The story itself is of such rich historical value. A behind-the-scenes look at all that took place and I really enjoyed the slaves perspectives on being owned, and how Carrie came to her conclusions about slavery. ~ J. Hale

The storyline is fascinating and I'm right there experiencing it along with the characters. Have read many books about that period but none as realistic as this. Fabulous writing.

~ Carol B.

A fantastic story of life on a plantation comingled with adventures through the Civil war. Could not wait to get it read then missed the characters when I did....now I am finishing the 3rd in the series. All equally as riveting!

Ginny is a very good writer and makes the characters come alive! ~ P. Davis

The characters in this book (and series) are rich and complex---struggling with the complexities of their time. Nothing is truely one sided or simple. I have developed a much deeper understanding of the civil war through reading this series. I can not wait for the next one to be finished in the next few months! ~ J. Morris

Really enjoyed this book. I'm not usually a reader of American stories, but this one was terrific. I couldn't put the book down. I can't wait to read the next one. ~Miriam

I couldn't put it down. It gives different points of view of the civil war. It includes soldiers on both sides, doctors, slaves, southern belles, plantation owners, etc. It is a saga that spans the Civil War era. She has written several books that continues the story. I highly recommnend it.

~ B. Newcomb

This book grabbed my attention on the very first page! I have not been reading any kind of fiction for a long time so for it to get my attention right away was a surprise. This to me, is the mark of an excellent writer - I thoroughly enjoyed the book and she compels you to want to read more! Well done Ginny. ~ Pamela M.

Once I got started reading this book, I had difficulty putting in down. The author pulls you right into the story from the get-go. The characters are very well developed, and she weaves actual historical events into the story. She captures the psychology of the people leading up to the Civil War and we get a penetrating characterization of a late teen protagonist who is grappling with who she is and what is important to her. While I believe this book has universal appeal, I think teenage or tween girls who like to read will find this book especially appealing. ~ JM Kafes

I love stories with a strong female character set in a historical setting! During a time when women were not typically known for being independent, Carrie grows into a free-thinking individual with strong values. I quickly became attached to the characters and was thrilled to learn that their story continues! ~ Carla P.

I don't usually like historical novels, but this one involved me and wrapped me in so quickly, that I couldn't sleep until I finished it. The characters were engaging, and made you actually care about them. I am gearing up to read the rest of the series, especially now that they are on Kindle--yeahhhh. ~ Sharon K.

Ginny Dye takes very ordinary people, places them in the extraordinary time of the pre-Civil War era, and creates a world that is simultaneously understandable and monumental. This is a great book and a fun read. I'm looking forward to the future adventures in the series, because I have really begun caring about these characters! The book is profound without being preachy and offers a fresh look at a time and place that has been scrutinized for 150 years. ~ Jean L.

Storm Clouds Rolling In

1860 - 1861

Carrie Cromwell comes of age as the dark clouds of the Civil War swallow the country. Born with a fiery spirit and a strong mind, she finds herself struggling between the common wisdom of the South and the truth she has discovered.

The activities of the Underground Railroad and her close friendships with the Cromwell Plantation slaves create difficult choices. But when her decisions put her

at odds with her heritage and challenge

her dreams, will she be able to give up all

that is precious to her?

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PROLOGUE

1850

Moses had come to watch his daddy die.

Slinking back into the sheltering brush, he struggled to evade the probing fingers of light groping for him from the blazing fire. The two men coaxing the fire into a roaring mountain of flame had not heard him creep to where he could see into the clearing. His ebony skin and rough dark clothes merged into the darkness. The only evidence of his presence was the glowing white of his eyes. He would take his chances. Nothing would keep him from this last glimpse of his Daddy.

He knew his Mama would thrash him good when she found out he had come. He could well imagine her fear when she discovered he was gone but he’d had no choice. He had to. At eleven years of age he was now the man of the house. He couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t do this. He had to say good-bye to his Daddy.

“Bring him on, boys!” A hoarse shout exploded into the still night.

Moses slunk back further into the darkness, every muscle tense with fear. They were coming!

“The rope’s ready. There’s soon to be one less nigger to bother us.”

Moses shuddered at the hatred oozing from the unknown, and as yet unseen, man’s voice. He knew if they found him they wouldn’t hesitate to kill him as well. Killing was in the air tonight. He could feel it as surely as he could feel the velvety leaves brushing against him.

It had started the night before when the slaves on the Manson plantation revolted. Before the night was over they had killed Master Manson and set fire to his barns. Over fifty slaves had disappeared into the inky Virginia night. News had spread fast to the other plantations. Over two hundred slaves had made their break for freedom. Moses’ Daddy, Sam, had been one of them. Most of them had not gotten far.

The slave owners and overseers had banded together and called their hunting dogs into service. Sam, along with a large group of slaves unfamiliar with the low lying swamp land northwest of Richmond, had gotten bogged down. Lost and confused, he had been easy prey for the diligent hounds. Word of mass captures had filtered back to the plantations. Everyone knew the one they called the giant black could only be Sam. Moses’ Mama, in from a long day in the fields, had slapped her hand over her mouth, screamed, and fainted dead away.

Moses was the only one who had overheard the overseer talking on the porch when he delivered some wood to the Big House. Crouched behind a thick bush, risking a beating if he were caught, Moses had heard him say they were going to kill the giant black to teach the others a lesson. He had grabbed his chance, slipping away in the ruckus that followed word of the capture of at least a dozen slaves from their plantation.

“Daddy!” Moses slapped his hand over his mouth and looked around wildly. The excited voices of men surging into the clearing covered his mistake. Though Moses couldn’t slink into the lush growth any further he could feel his slender body almost pulling into itself. Fear knotted his stomach and made his teeth chatter in the stifling July heat.

Sam was at the head of the line of six slave men being led into the clearing. The towering oaks formed a mighty tunnel for the procession. The trees, like the air embracing them, were still and somber, reflecting back the light from the roaring flames. They seemed to know only sorrow would come from this night. Moses hardly recognized his own Daddy. The chains holding the six together were a mockery. Their bashed and broken bodies could have not afforded them another escape attempt. His Daddy was the worst. Moses figured that was because Sam had been a leader. It was the only way he could explain the open bleeding cuts, the face swollen almost beyond recognition, the useless broken dangle of both arms.

He wanted to call out and run to him. Fear kept him silent. Fear… and the understanding he would have to take care of his Mama and three sisters now. They needed him. He feared what awaited him back at the plantation but he feared what was playing out before his eyes even more.

Time seemed to stand still as the drama unfolded. The trees, the brush - even the air - seemed to be holding their breath.

“Get the head nigger over here. It’s time to even the score!”

Moses stared at the overseer from his own plantation. James Stewart was a large man, with coarse features and a vicious temper. More than once he had seen it turned on his fellow slaves. He had felt the lash himself. Now the big man was after his father. His trembling deepened to shuddering spasms as he fought to control the moans wanting to explode from his body.

Sam was prodded with vicious pitchforks, like an animal, until he was below the waiting noose. Slowly it was lowered to where he waited quietly. At that moment Moses felt a surge of pride for his Daddy. The man who had taught him from childhood to always be proud of who he was might be broken and battered, but he was not beaten! The glow of pride still burned in his eyes. In spite of the pain racking his body, he held his head high and stared defiantly at his killers. It seemed to enrage them more. They wanted this slave - the one they considered less than human - to cower before them.

“This one seems to think he’s something more than the animal he is! I think he needs a little more education.” One man, clothed immaculately in gentleman’s clothing strode forward from the pack. “I’ll consider it an honor to provide that education.”

Moses felt sick at the hatred pulsing through the clearing. What else were they going to do to his Daddy? He watched as the noose was pulled tight around his glistening neck and Sam was prodded up onto the wooden platform assembled in the clearing. He leaned in a little closer as the fancy dressed man approached with an evil sneer on his lips, and then gasped as a flash of light reflected off the huge knife the man pulled from his tunic. Moses’ eyes flew back to his Daddy. He couldn’t take his eyes off him one more time. He had come to watch him die. Watch him he would.

“Think you’re too good to be a slave, don’t you, boy?”

Silence filled the night.

Moses finally recognized the voice. It belonged to Master Borden who owned the plantation two miles down the road. He had lost close to thirty slaves and two of his barns had been burned. Master Borden wasn’t a large man but his bearing spoke authority as firelight glistened off his silver hair. His bronze face was set in harsh lines.

“I spoke to you, boy!” His deceptively gentle tone had sharpened with the obvious anger surging through his body. “Answer!”

Moses’ eyes were glued on his Daddy. He saw Sam’s eyes glitter with hatred but no words came. His shoulders squared a little more and his ebony eyes fixed on his attacker. Moses saw something else. He saw the lines of Sam’s mouth tighten. He saw the brows come together. He knew that look. It meant his Daddy was getting ready to do something important. But what? The rope, pulled snug around his neck, was holding him upright. Leaning forward against the protecting darkness he held his breath.

Turning his back on Sam, Master Borden held the knife high in the flickering light and yelled to the other five slaves watching from the side. “Let this be a lesson. For you - and for whoever might be watching!” His evil laugh filled the night air as he waved his knife at the darkness pressing in around him.

Moses gasped and shrank back even further into the stifling night, ignoring the blackberry thorns tearing at his skin. Did they know he was there? Were they coming after him next? It seemed to the boy that even the giant oaks pulled back from the venom in Master Borden’s voice. It was almost as if he could feel the brush draw him a little closer into its protective embrace.

“This creature standing before me is no more than an animal. His Master was good to him. And what did he do? He repaid him by running away. By setting fire to his barns!”

Moses barely kept from crying out. He knew his Daddy hadn’t done any fire setting. He had just wanted to be free. He had wanted to go North and make enough money to buy freedom for his family. He had overheard his Daddy and Mammy talking just days before the revolt. Daddy talked about the freedom available in the North where a man could take care of his own family and be free. There had been no mistaking the longing in his voice. He’d heard something else, too. Hope - hope that things might someday be better.

“He doesn’t just deserve to die. I think maybe we should carve on him a little, so his body will be easier to bury!” Master Borden gave an evil smile as he shouted into the night. The madness of the night, the killing in the air, was reflected in his wild eyes. He waved the knife in the direction of the other plantation owners. “Loosen that rope a little. I don’t want him to have an easy way out. He’s going to get what’s due him!” Waiting until his orders had been obeyed, he laughed triumphantly and moved forward, knife raised.

Moses couldn’t stifle the groan that rose from his gut. For the first time he questioned the wisdom of his coming. Could he watch while these men cut his Daddy? It was all he could do to not bolt and run. He had to know. He had to see. Afterwards he was never sure if the words he whispered were audible or if they only echoed in the empty fear of his heart. “Good bye, Daddy........”

The men in the clearing, however, had made a mistake. They had assumed Sam’s broken arms were useless and had not tied them behind his back. Moses watched as his Daddy shifted his weight and tightened his face in concentration.

Sam made his move. Master Borden was holding the knife high in the air, waving it as he yelled wildly. Sam lunged and with a cry of pain managed to grab the knife with the hand of his right broken arm. The knife was pointing down when he fell from the platform, no longer held by the rope, and knocked off balance by the momentum of his lunge. All two hundred and fifty muscular pounds of him came crashing down on the unsuspecting Master Borden.

Wild yelling and cries filled the clearing. When quiet reigned again, Master Borden lay dead, stabbed through the heart by his own knife.

Sam swung quietly from the end of the coarse rope.

Blinded by tears, Moses stumbled through the dark woods – running to escape the scent of death. He would never forget what he had seen that night.

He would never forget.